308 Ground clearance and car ferries | FerrariChat

308 Ground clearance and car ferries

Discussion in '308/328' started by Michael DB, Feb 20, 2025.

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  1. Michael DB

    Michael DB Karting

    Dec 22, 2023
    233
    UK
    Full Name:
    Michael D Beswick
    After a year of ownership I realise how low the car is-about 4”. Any experiences of putting a 308 on a car ferry? I’ll be crossing from UK to France but I guess they are the same the world over.
     
  2. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

    May 13, 2016
    5,961
    Isle of man- uk
    My 430 catches the stern door going on at times, buy a pair of mini ramps to put under the front wheels.
     
  3. JC1720

    JC1720 Karting

    Jan 21, 2016
    139
    UK
    From my experience they all differ and can vary with tide, but the boarding crew are usually friendly and go out of their way for a different challenge.

    Suggest letting company know in advance, ramps as mentioned a good idea. May have to weave from side to side etc
     
  4. Michael DB

    Michael DB Karting

    Dec 22, 2023
    233
    UK
    Full Name:
    Michael D Beswick
    Thanks. Good job the boot is a decent size so slim ramps should fit!
     
  5. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    For the Channel/Spain don't worry about it they've been doing this for years and tend to be very helpful - the initial folding door ramp may need an angle but then if it looks iffy they'll just leave you on that deck

    308s aren't as low as many more modern cars which manage fine - see all the ferry threads in the uk section
     
  6. francisn

    francisn Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2004
    2,015
    Berks, UK
    Full Name:
    francis newman
    I have taken my 308GT4 on channel car ferries, both Dover and Portsmouth some 10 or more round trips over the last 11 years of ownership. The front fibreglass undertray regularly scrapes on some UK roads anyway, particularly narrow lanes with a raised centre, as do most GT4s and I have an aluminium plate pop riveted at the offending point to save having to annually repair the hole that appears in the fibreglass. So getting on and of a ferry is no worse than anywhere else. I make to sure to go on at an angle at snails pace and it is normally then OK. But if you have a 308 GTB/GTS with the front deep spoiler, I can't speak for that.

    The French speed mujpms in villages, particuarly comin g off tehm, is far more of a prp0oble, Make sure not to brake as you come off them as that lowers the front of the car.
     
  7. dudlow

    dudlow Karting

    Feb 28, 2011
    194
    Surrey UK
    308, 328, no problem. Loaded onto the ferry and Eurotunnel multiple times. As previously said, the staff are very helpful as well.
     
  8. Michael DB

    Michael DB Karting

    Dec 22, 2023
    233
    UK
    Full Name:
    Michael D Beswick
    Thanks all. Looks like care and perhaps asking the co-pilot to exit prior to boarding! I’ve taken the MGB over many times-it’s sounds no different. Speed bumps noted-the same issue over here, often to the annoyance of following drivers in 4X4s. The worst are individual pillows:wait till oncoming traffic stops and drive down the middle!
     
  9. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2009
    8,254
    Worcester, England
    Full Name:
    Phill J
    From watching some of Harry Metcalf's videos ("Harry's Garage" on Youtube), the trick with low riding cars is to approach the ramps diagonally, to put a front wheel on the the ramp before any of the underside touches the ramp (I seem to recall in one of his videos the guys on the ferry guiding him on and advising him as he approached the ramp diagonally )

    Basically it's the same technique used for steep driveways/property entrances and such like (I have to this with my 328 GTS if I take it to work due to the angle of the car park entrance)
     
    Michael DB likes this.
  10. Michael DB

    Michael DB Karting

    Dec 22, 2023
    233
    UK
    Full Name:
    Michael D Beswick
    Sounds a good technique-thanks
     
  11. Sergio Tavares

    Sergio Tavares Formula 3

    Nov 15, 2018
    1,308
    Full Name:
    Sergio Tavares
    What are the tides doing the days you enter the Ferry?
     
  12. Michael DB

    Michael DB Karting

    Dec 22, 2023
    233
    UK
    Full Name:
    Michael D Beswick
    The ferries and ports are substantial so they will compensate for any tide issues.
     
  13. Freddie328

    Freddie328 Formula Junior

    Jul 29, 2013
    389
    Herts, UK
    Full Name:
    Richard
    ProvaMo and Michael DB like this.
  14. Michael DB

    Michael DB Karting

    Dec 22, 2023
    233
    UK
    Full Name:
    Michael D Beswick

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